Flight bookings to North America and hotel reservations have experienced a significant surge since the schedule for the FIFA World Cup 2026 was officially announced in December of last year. Data released by leading travel technology company Amadeus on January 27, 2026, reveals a robust increase in travel plans, with a notable 18% of these bookings originating from travelers in the United Kingdom. These findings were initially highlighted in reports from Reuters.
Historically, travel from Europe to the United States saw a decline following the election of President Donald Trump in November 2024, as a number of tourists were deterred by heightened border checks. More recently, concerns over increased violence, particularly those linked to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detentions in Minneapolis, have added to fears among potential international visitors. Despite these persistent safety concerns and ongoing geopolitical apprehensions, aggregated data from World Cup event tracking organizations and Amadeus unequivocally demonstrates a significant uptick in bookings, especially among enthusiastic English and Scottish supporters.
Examining the core period of the tournament, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the host nations of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, a substantial 37% of all travel bookings were made in the month immediately following the tournament draw in December. It is important to note, however, that the available data does not explicitly indicate whether the recent contentious immigration enforcement policies within the United States have had any direct impact on these 2026 bookings.
Paul Charles, a respected travel analyst and the Chief Executive Officer of The PC Agency consultancy, underscored the immense global appeal of the World Cup. He articulated that the event offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness the world’s most talented footballers in action, and fans are often prepared to travel almost anywhere to see their favorite players, regardless of the host nation’s prevailing policy or political climate. Nevertheless, Charles also provided a crucial caveat, emphasizing that safety remains a paramount concern for travelers. Spectators will undoubtedly be hoping for a tranquil and secure environment within the host cities and will expect their travel insurance to remain fully valid for their eagerly anticipated trips in June and July.
Further analysis of Amadeus data showcased a dramatic single-day spike in flight bookings for a particular match: the anticipated clash between Brazil and Morocco in New York, which alone accounted for over 2,500 flight reservations. Similarly, hotel bookings across Canada and Mexico have also seen notable increases. In Mexico City, for example, the average duration of hotel stays on the eve of its three scheduled World Cup matches has surged by an impressive 21%, a substantial leap from the 4% recorded for the equivalent period in the previous year.
